Green growth discussed at conference

Does economic growth necessarily mean ecological damage? Can communities expand without sprawl? These questions are on the agenda of “Creating More Livable Communities,” an upcoming conference held by the non-profit provincial organization SmartGrowthBC. The conference kicks off with a public forum on Friday, June 8 at 7 p.m. in Fraser 159 on “Smart Growth in British Columbia: Balancing Development with Livability” with Cheeying Ho of SmartGrowthBC and representatives from different architectural firms discussing compact communities, mixed-use development and enhancing communities through design. The conference continues on June 9, addressing topics such as sustainable transportation systems, alternative development standards and green space preservation. Information: Emily MacNair (eco-research chair) at 7218193.

Speaker series seeks presenters

UVic faculty members with a passion for health-related research and a desire to share their knowledge with the public are being sought as presenters in the 2001–2002 Provost’s UVic Faculty Series. This popular series is focusing on health issues in its upcoming season. Needed are presenters who have a national or international reputation for excellence and achievement and the ability to communicate their expertise to people outside their field. Nominees can be at any rank, and limited term, adjunct or emeritus members are also eligible. The Provost’s Series committee offers an honorarium of $1,000 as an unrestricted research fund. Last year's nominees will automatically be considered again this year. Nominations should be submitted by July 21 to: office of the vice president academic and provost (BEC 480). A nomination form can be viewed on the VPAC Web page at web.uvic.ca/vpac/.

Calling outstanding UVic education grads

The faculty of education is soliciting nominations of outstanding UVic education grads for the 2001 Distinguished Education Alumni Awards, established in 1997 to recognize the contributions of education grads who have distinguished themselves as educators in B.C. Three winners are selected each year and three scholarships are awarded in their names to students who are deemed to have best served the goals of education during the preceding year. Nominations must include a letter and brief profile of the nominee and be sent by Aug. 31 to the office of the dean of education. Further information: 721-7757.

Local “videophone” firm funds research

Victoria's AVT Audio Visual Telecommunications is providing funding for UVic electrical and computer engineers for research involving wireless multimedia communications. AVT's one-year grant of $87,400 supports a team of faculty and graduate students led by Drs. Peter Driessen, Nigel Horspool and Lynn Kirlin. The three faculty members also serve as technical advisors to the board of AVT. The challenge is to find faster methods of transmitting images and speech using existing cell phone networks and the Internet. To do so, special computer programs are required to jointly code and compress video and sound signals simultaneously. “This special type of coding would be a novel advance in wireless multimedia transmission,” says Kirlin. “It would make it possible to view consolidated, well-formatted information using an environment of more limited transmission connections.” The future of personal communications will be two-way video cellular phones and personal digital assistants. But the limited bandwidth for wireless data transmission means that data compression is a critical issue, AVT president Garry Robb says.

Upcoming Fitwalk is a UVic tradition

Celebrate wellness at the 10th annual President’s Fitwalk on Monday, June 11. Creativity and spirits run high before, during and after the walk, which loops around Ring Road (2.2 km). Registration takes place at the University Centre from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the walk begins at 12:15 p.m. Participants are encouraged to dress up in keeping with the theme components of wellness include the social, emotional, physical, intellectual, occupational, spritual, and the environmental. Some great draw prizes will be offered and the most boisterous and creatively dressed teams will vie for the Spirit Award. If you can’t make it on the 11th, but still want to help out your department team, walk Ring Road on your own anytime during the week of June 4–8 and then register at the athletics and recreational services office in the McKinnon Building. For further information, contact Kathi at 721-8721.